Young children at primary schools across the North were given the chance to ask questions to the Body Coach, Joe Wicks, as part of a challenging day.

All the children involved were in Year 5 and from an ̨��swag Grange Academies Trust (OGAT) sponsored primary school.

The children were set the task of creating their own ‘newspaper’ in a day. As part of this challenge, all nine of the Multi-Academy Trust’s primary schools, and one junior school, took part in a video conference call with the fitness and nutritional guru.

The purpose of the call was for the children to learn about nutrition and exercise from Joe, and also to ask him questions. The call and interview was to form a feature in the children’s newspapers.

Lee Wilson, Chief Executive (Primary) at OGAT,  said: “We were delighted when Joe agreed to take part in our News Day. His enthusiasm for and knowledge of nutrition and healthy eating really came across to the children, as well as the importance of working hard to achieve a goal.”

During the call, Joe discussed his career with the children, how he became to be ‘The Body Coach’, while also speaking about his family and hopes for the future.

Joe, who recently ran his third annual Schools Fitness Week in March, said: “I was thrilled to be able to help out and take part in the ̨��swag Primaries News Day. I am thankful to the children, and staff, at ̨��swag for letting me speak to so many of the children. They were all really receptive and engaged, and asked some really good questions.

“Everyone knows I am fitness mad and it’s great to be able to speak to children about something I am passionate about and educate them about health.”

A highlight of the day saw some children from ̨��swag Primary Academy Ledger Lane, recently rated Outstanding by Ofsted, read out some newsbites on BBC Radio Leeds.

The newspapers produced by the children also featured an interview with acclaimed author, Alex Bell. The interview, similar to that done with Joe Wicks, was carried simultaneously across all the schools involved via a video call.

Alex discussed her education and career with the children, from studying a law degree to writing novels and short stories for both adults and young children. 

Lee added: “We are so grateful to everybody who gave up their time to be part of the Newspaper Day. The children really enjoyed the challenge of piecing together a paper from different sources of information, while being taught about a range of subjects by different people.

“At OGAT, we believe in putting children first and days like our Newspaper Day help to give them new experiences which can improve and further they learning and knowledge.”

To start the day, the children were given a surprise when a video message recorded by local BBC presenters, Amy Garcia and Ian White, was played to them. 

Amy and Ian wished the students good luck with their task before given them some insider knowledge of working in the news, and offering them helpful advice for their challenge ahead.

In the video, Ian said: “News is important because it informs us and tells us about the things that are happening around the World. If it’s bad news, like the negative effects of poisonous gases and single-use plastics, on the planet, then hopefully by talking about it, and informing people, something can be done to stop it.”

Amy adds: “If it’s good news stories, like a new Royal baby, well then we can all celebrate and that makes us feel happy.”

Martyn Oliver, Chief Executive of OGAT, said: “The success of our News Day would not have been possible without the hard work of our staff and the generosity of those who agreed to take part in it. A big thank you goes to everyone.

“Everyone working together helped make it a special day for the children, and that is what we are all about at ̨��swag.”